by Dilay A.
On September 27th, tens of thousands of passionate individuals participated in the student-led Vancouver Climate Strike. Over the past couple of months, the detrimental condition of our environment has gained awareness; this rally held in Vancouver was merely one of the many Global Climate Strike events that are taking place across Canada. Just over two weeks ago, people of all ages were invited to leave school and work to rally outside of the Vancouver City hall. There, they voiced their united opinion on what is considered to be one of the most significant issues of our time.
Canada was one of the 150 countries to participate in this globally held climate strike inspired by the #FridayforFuture movement, initially begun by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The teen started cutting class on Fridays in August 2018 to stage protest outside the Swedish Parliament. She fought to defeat the negative stigma around youth’s involvement with global issues, which grew her into the international inspiration that she is today. Thunberg’s lasting influence is what fuelled young adults all around the world to take a stand and voice their opinions through the Climate Strike Movement.
This event gave Canadian youth the platform to take control of their futures. They actively demanded political actions to be taken, as the decisions being made today directly determine our quality of life as the adolescents of our nation. Showing their commitment towards the cause, students walked out of their classes on Friday morning as a call for action. This movement was in efforts to portray the underlying message that: they will neglect their education until the dismissal of their opinions regarding this humanitarian crisis ceases to exist.
The West Vancouver School District, Vancouver School Board and the Surrey Schools district showed their support towards their driven students by excusing all climate strike participants from their classes. The unity between the adults and the youth of our society plays a crucial role in concrete actions taking place. As stated by Lilah Williamson, 15-year-old activist and leader of the Sustainabiliteen’s, "when youth and adults and everyone come together, we can do anything."
“When youth and adults and everyone come together, we can do anything”
- Lila Williamson, 2019
Fortunately, some of our very own Sentinel Secondary classmates were able to participate in the Vancouver Climate rally. Here is a short Q&A with Erin; a grade 11 student who took the initiative and got involved with this movement.
1. What did participating in the Vancouver Climate Strike mean to you?
Erin: For me, participating in the Vancouver Climate Strike was about taking action and letting our voices heard. Climate change is a severe issue that vastly impacts the futures of young people worldwide, and the strike was a way for us to demand that we, as a society, address that issue.
2. What political and social changes would you to see made in attempts to tackle this global issue?
Erin: Both politically and socially, I think everybody must get on the same page about climate change-- we need to make significant changes. We can’t accomplish these changes when we still have citizens and politicians alike denying the importance of climate justice.
3. Are there any actions that you as an individual are currently taking to help in reparation of our environment?
Erin: I am trying to get more informed on the issue. There are small changes that I’m trying to make as an individual, like using less single-use plastics. Still, I also think it’s essential for us as young people to advocate for more considerable systemic change.
4. Using one word, how would you describe your experience at the Vancouver Climate Strike?
Erin: Moving.
Here at Sentinel Secondary, we are a community of hard-working and driven students. There’s no doubt in the fact that we will be able to make an impact if we rightfully advocate for what we believe in. Having that said, let’s show our true Spartan Spirit and take action towards ensuring our planet’s well being!
Work Cited:
1 Uguen-Csenge, E. (2019). Here's why Vancouver teens are staging a climate strike. [online] CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-climate-strike-global-thunberg-protest-1.5297743 [Accessed 12 Oct. 2019].
2 MacPherson, M. (2019). We spent a day with the 15-year-old activist who led the Vancouver climate strike. [online] CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lilah-williamson-climate-strike-vancouver-1.5301228 [Accessed 12 Oct. 2019].
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